Cast announced for Holding the Man film

Packed to the Rafters' actor Ryan Corr and the ABC's East of Everything's Craig Stott will play the lead roles in the gay love story Holding the Man which begins filming in Melbourne next week.

Corr and Stott will portray Timothy Conigrave and John Caleo who fall in love during high school and embark upon a romance which lasts over 15 years ending with their death from AIDS-related illnesses.

They will be supported by an allstar cast including Guy Pearce and Kerry Fox who play Tim's parents and Anthony LaPaglia and Camilla Ah Kin who portray John's parents.

The film's screenplay is adapted from Timothy Conigrave's memoir and based on Tommy Murphy's acclaimed stage play.

Producer Kylie Du Fresne told Screen Daily the success of the book and play "proves that this is a love story that speaks across generations, sexualities and cultures."